Vital-signs patch having a flexible attachment to electrodes

• US 9,585,620 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2010
• Issued: 03/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carefusion 303 Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Carefusion 303 Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Paquet, Pierre, Raptis, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Archer, Marie
• Application Number:
  US12/844,774
• Publication Number:
  US 20120029309A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,415 Days
• Field of Search: 600300-301, 600363-365, 600373-374, 600377-379, 600382-384, 600386-394, 600/481, 600/485, 600500-503, 600/509, 600515-519, 600529-531, 600544-547, 600/549, 600587-595, 128920-925
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1477 non-invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6813 Specially adapted to be attached to a specific body part A61B5/6802 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A vital-signs monitor patch containing at least two electrodes, a circuit assembly, and a patch body having a chamber in which the circuit assembly is housed. The patch body also contains at least one flexible portion adjacent to the circuit assembly chamber, with at least one electrode attached to the flexible portion. The electrodes are configured for attaching the patch to the skin of a patient.

Claims

1. A vital-signs monitor patch comprising:

a first electrode comprising a first part of a first snap fitting and a surface configured to attach to the skin of a patient;

a second electrode comprising a first part of a second snap fitting and a surface configured to attach to the skin of the patient;

a circuit assembly operably coupled to the first and second electrodes and configured to periodically take at least one measurement from the first electrode or the second electrode, the circuit assembly comprising a wireless transceiver;

a central segment in which the circuit assembly is housed; and

first and second flexible portions, each adjacently and oppositely coupled between the central segment and a corresponding one of the first and second electrodes, the first flexible portion comprising a second part of the first snap fitting, the second part of the first snap fitting extending from a surface of the first flexible portion and configured to disconnectably mate with the first part of the first snap fitting such that an electrically conductive connection is formed between the circuit assembly and the first electrode through the first and second parts of the first snap fitting when mated,

wherein the first and second snap fittings are each configured to swivel for enabling rotary motion of the first and second flexible portions when mated with the corresponding electrode, and wherein the first and second flexible portions are configured to suspend the central segment above the skin of the patient and to flex between the central segment and the first and second electrodes in response to patient movement to allow the central segment to move with respect to the skin of the patient.

2. The vital-signs patch of claim 1, wherein the at least one measurement is related to at least one vital sign of the set of body temperature, cardiac pulse rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.

3. The vital-signs patch of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes each comprise a layer of adhesive covering at least a portion of the electrode, wherein the adhesive provides the attachment of the electrode to the skin of the patient.

4. A vital-signs monitor patch for wearing on the skin of a patient, comprising:

a central segment; and

two flexible side segments connected to the central segment such that the flexible side segments, when free of an applied load, are configured to suspend the central segment above the skin of the patient;

a circuit assembly disposed in the central segment, the circuit assembly comprising a wireless transceiver;

an internal sensor disposed in the central segment and operably coupled to the circuit assembly; and

an electrode rotatably coupled to at least one of the flexible side segments and electrically coupled to the circuit assembly, the electrode configured to attach to the skin of the patient,

wherein the circuit assembly and the electrode are configured to make a first measurement, and

wherein the internal sensor is configured to make a second measurement that is different than the first measurement.

5. The vital-signs patch of claim 4, wherein the first measurement comprises at least one measurement related to at least one vital sign of the set of body temperature, cardiac pulse rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.

6. The vital-signs patch of claim 4, wherein:

the electrode comprises a first part of a snap fitting; and

the flexible portion comprises a second part of the snap fitting, the second part configured to disconnectably mate with the first part and form an electrically conductive connection between the first and second parts of the snap fitting when mated, to which the electrode can be attached.

7. The vital-signs patch of claim 4, wherein the electrode comprises a layer of adhesive covering at least a portion of the electrode, wherein the adhesive provides the attachment of the electrode to the patient.

8. The vital-signs patch of claim 4, wherein the circuit assembly comprises a printed circuit board, and the internal sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the printed circuit board.

9. The vital-signs patch of claim 4, wherein the internal sensor is a motion sensor.

10. The vital-signs monitor patch of claim 4, wherein the electrode is rotatably coupled to at least one of the flexible side segments via a snap fitting that extends from a surface of the at least one of the flexible side segments.